When do families get together? It tends to be limited to weddings, funerals, and graduations, but people don’t really have quality time for these in-and-out events. But with a family reunion, the whole point is to appreciate the bonds everyone shares.
Putting one together might sound intimidating at first, but with a little forethought and professional help, you can enjoy the event just as much as the multiple generations who attend it.
Start Early
Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor was a family reunion planned in a week. It’s recommended to give everyone several months’ notice, especially if flying is involved. Six months or longer is a good place to start. Not only does this remove time pressure for you, but it also increases the chance of more people being able to make it.
It’s recommended to have the reunion be multiple days, around three to four. This can also make it easy for people to pop in for a day or two and then leave as needed.
Who (& How Many) to Invite
There is a sweet spot for the number of people to invite, as too many will make it difficult to spend any meaningful time, and too few kind of defeats the purpose of the event. Around 40-50 is a good number to aim for. But, to get that number to commit, you’ll likely need to reach out to many more (close to 100).
This is where connecting with and asking for input from older relatives can be extremely helpful. They can help you reach out to branches of the family tree you haven’t met or seen for decades. General advice is to start with both sets of grandparents (if possible), and they can serve as a connector to all the aunts, uncles, and cousins you’ve heard about.
Plan for All Ages
A little structure goes a long way! Ideally, plan activities that accommodate all ages, from seniors to grandchildren and everyone in between. Meals are a given, but separate excursions just for kids and parents, only adults, or everyone can provide energy, direction, and fuel for conversation after the introductions are done.
The Right Location & Venue
Where is everyone going to stay? You likely can’t host this many people at your home, and the idea of transporting several groups from multiple hotels is a logistical headache. Making sure the entire party stays at the same place can maximize quality time while keeping things simple.
This is where a bed and breakfast in North Conway can be the ultimate hack. Every pod of your family can get their own room, it’s smaller and more intimate than a regular hotel, and (with enough people) you can rent out the entire venue so it’s just you and your loved ones. Doing so will likely entitle you to a sizeable discount compared to regular rates, plus (like the name indicates) everyone gets a homemade breakfast!
Call the Professionals
Feeling overwhelmed? The innkeepers at Cranmore Mountain Lodge have hosted dozens of family reunions over the years, and they are experts at turning ideas into action. Whether you’ve started planning or have no idea where to begin, they can meet you where you’re at, take things off your plate, and ensure you get where you want to go.
With their help, you can actually enjoy your reunion as opposed to stressing about it. The focus can be on giving your family a wonderful experience at a cozy, historic farmhouse with award-winning service and food in a town with plenty to do.
The first step is as easy as a phone call, and when it’s done, we promise you’ll feel excited for what’s to come.